Shelswell

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Other/Unknown), and also as a Questionable Urban Defence

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameShelswell
Alternative Names
Historic CountryOxfordshire
Modern AuthorityOxfordshire
1974 AuthorityOxfordshire
Civil ParishNewton Purcell With Shelswell

Listed by Harvey as castle with earthwork remains.

Moats and ramparts surrounding village sites. Shelswell.

Two small fragments of a moat remain near the Home Farm on the site of the Manor House, which from their direction may also have encompassed the church, now destroyed, in which case the moat would have included the whole holding. (VCH, 1907)

Gatehouse Comments

The map reference is to the site of the deserted medieval village of Shelswell. The PastScape does report a supposed moat among the earthworks. Must be questionable since no other reference to this site as a castle found but without knowing Harvey's source impossible to reject as is a feasible castle site. The VCH mentions the moats and gives a little detail but no hint as to a reason that Harvey might suggest a castle here.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSP612309
Latitude51.9732284545898
Longitude-1.11337995529175
Eastings461200
Northings230900
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Lobel, Mary D. (ed), 1959, VCH Oxfordshire Vol. 6 p. 285 online transcription
  • Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (London: Methuen and Co)
  • Potts, W., 1907, in Page, Wm (ed), 'Ancient Earthworks' VCH Oxfordshire Vol. 2 p. 331 online transcription